Apparatus for communicating using a frequency band with priority

ABSTRACT

[Object] To enable a frequency band to be used with higher efficiency.[Solution] There is provided an apparatus including: an acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding a second base station that is a second base station having a coverage area that overlaps a coverage area of a first base station capable of using a frequency band with priority, and is incapable of using the frequency band with priority; and a control unit configured to request the second base station to transmit data destined for a terminal apparatus that accesses the first base station to the terminal apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/305,580, filed on Oct. 20, 2016, which is based on PCT filingPCT/JP2015/056408, filed on Mar. 4, 2015, and claims priority to JP2014-115794, filed on Jun. 4, 2014, and JP 2014-234732, filed on Nov.19, 2014, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

3G mobile telephone services called the third generation have beenlaunched in Japan from 2002. At first, small-size packets weretransmitted and received for voice calls, transmission of e-mails, andthe like. Due to the introduction of High Speed Downlink Packet Access(HSDPA), however, larger-size packets have been transmitted and receivedfor downloading music files, streaming of dynamic images, and the like.

According to the increase in packet volumes as described above, LongTerm Evolution (LTE) which uses Orthogonal Frequency Division MultipleAccess (OFDMA) in downlink has also been put in service for expandingradio network sides. Furthermore, 4G services are expected to startaround 2015. Thus, a maximum of 1 Gbps (bit per second) can be realizedin a semi-fixed environment, and a maximum of 100 Mbps can also berealized in a mobile environment. In addition, the use of small cells,for example, is under discussion in order to deal with hot spots inwhich traffic is regionally concentrated and to enhance use efficiencyof frequency resources. Furthermore, introduction of a frequency sharingtechnology for causing a frequency band that is not temporally andregionally used and is called a white space to be shared by systemsaccording to rules has been discussed. In addition, the introduction ofa frequency sharing technology called a Spectrum Access System (SAS) hasbeen discussed in North America in order to cause a frequency band thatis not temporally or regionally used to be shared by systems accordingto rules.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology in which,according to a traffic load of each of two or more access points (or thenumber of terminal apparatuses accessing them), bands are allocated tothe two or more access points. Patent Literature 2 discloses, forexample, a technology in which two evolved Node Bs (eNBs) share RadioAccess Network (RAN) resources to realize load balancing.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0034457

Patent Literature 2: US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0303114

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The technologies disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 mentionedabove, however, are based on the premise that nodes having the samepriority level of (or the same right of) use of a frequency band sharethe frequency band. Thus, for example, there is a possibility of thefrequency band not being efficiently used if there is no node having thesame priority level on the frequency band.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a mechanism which enables afrequency band to be used with higher efficiency.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatusincluding: an acquisition unit configured to acquire informationregarding a second base station that is a second base station having acoverage area that overlaps a coverage area of a first base stationcapable of using a frequency band with priority, and is incapable ofusing the frequency band with priority; and a control unit configured torequest the second base station to transmit data destined for a terminalapparatus that accesses the first base station to the terminalapparatus.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatusincluding: an acquisition unit configured to acquire data destined for aterminal apparatus that accesses a first base station capable of using afrequency band with priority when a second base station that is a secondbase station having a coverage area which overlaps a coverage area ofthe first base station, and is incapable of using the frequency bandwith priority receives a request to transmit the data to the terminalapparatus; and a control unit configured to control radio communicationof the second base station so that the second base station transmits thedata to the terminal apparatus.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure described above, it is possible touse a frequency band with higher efficiency. Note that the effectsdescribed above are not necessarily limitative. With or in place of theabove effects, there may be achieved any one of the effects described inthis specification or other effects that may be grasped from thisspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of a system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram for describing a first example ofprioritized use of a frequency band.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram for describing an example of anotherfrequency band.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram for describing a second example ofprioritized use of a frequency band.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram for describing an example of anotherfrequency band.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram for describing a third example ofprioritized use of a frequency band.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram for describing an example of anotherfrequency band.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of afirst base station according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of asecond base station according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a schematic flow ofa process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram for describing seven existing TDDconfigurations.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative diagram for describing a downlink-dedicatedconfiguration.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a schematic flow ofa process according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of a server.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a first example of a schematicconfiguration of an eNB.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a second example of a schematicconfiguration of an eNB.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of a smartphone.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of a car navigation apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. In thisspecification and the appended drawings, structural elements that havesubstantially the same function and structure are denoted with the samereference numerals, and repeated explanation of these structuralelements is omitted.

Note that description will be provided in the following order.

1. Introduction

2. Schematic configuration of system

3. Configuration of first base station

4. Configuration of second base station

5. Three cases with regard to use of frequency bands

-   -   5.1. First case    -   5.2. Second case    -   5.3. Third case

6. Consideration of another radio communication system having higherpriority level

7. Process flow

8. Modified examples

-   -   8.1. First modified example    -   8.2. Second modified example

9. Other embodiment

10. Application examples

-   -   10.1. Application example regarding other network node    -   10.2. Application example regarding base station    -   10.3. Application example regarding terminal device

11. Conclusion

1. INTRODUCTION

First, a frequency sharing technology called Spectrum Access System(SAS) will be described.

A “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order” that was issued by theFederal Communications Commission (FCC) in December 2012 proposescreation of a new citizens' broadband service in a 3.5 GHz band in NorthAmerica. The 3.5 GHz band has been in use for application to non-federalfixed-satellite services and radars of the Department of Defense (i.e.,“Incumbent Use”). Thus, a dynamic sharing model using the SAS has beenintroduced to start preparing for a framework for also using a frequencyband for the “Incumbent Use” in the new citizens' broadband service.

In a “three-tiered licensing proposal” of the “Notice of ProposedRulemaking and Order” described above, respective users of the frequencyband are classified into one of three groups. Each of these groups iscalled a “tier.” The three groups are called “Incumbent Access,”“Priority Access,” and “General Authorized Access (GAA).” In use of thefrequency band, a priority level of “Incumbent Access” is the highest, apriority level of “Priority Access” is the second highest, and apriority level of “General Authorized Access” is the lowest.

“Incumbent Access” is a user group that includes users who uses thefrequency band for “Incumbent Use.” “Incumbent Access” is not requiredto avoid or suppress interference with “Priority Access” and “GeneralAuthorized Access” that have lower priority levels than it. In addition,“Incumbent Access” is protected from being interfered with by “PriorityAccess” and “General Authorized Access.” That is, users of “IncumbentAccess” use the frequency band without considering the presence of othergroups.

“Priority Access” is required to avoid or suppress interference with“Incumbent Access” that has a higher priority level, but is not requiredto avoid or suppress interference with “General Authorized Access” thathas the lower priority level. In addition, “Priority Access” is notprotected from interference of the “Incumbent Access” that has a higherpriority level, but is protected from interference of “GeneralAuthorized Access” that has the lower priority level.

“General Authorized Access” is required to avoid or suppressinterference with “Incumbent Access” and “Priority Access” that havehigher priority levels. In addition, “General Authorized Access” is notprotected from interference of “Incumbent Access” and “Priority Access”that have higher priority levels. That is, users of “General AuthorizedAccess” are in a “tier” that is only allowed opportunistic use.

2. SCHEMATIC CONFIGURATION OF SYSTEM

Next, a schematic configuration of a system 1 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to7. FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of the system 1 according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. With reference to FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a first basestation 100 and a second base station 200.

(First Base Station 100)

The first base station 100 performs radio communication with terminalapparatuses. The first base station 100, for example, performs radiocommunication with terminal apparatuses positioned in a coverage area 10of the first base station 100. The first base station 100, for example,transmits data and/or control information to terminal apparatuses andreceives data and/or control information from the terminal apparatuses.

The first base station 100 communicates with other network nodes. Forexample, the first base station 100 communicates with the second basestation 200.

(Second Base Station 200)

The second base station 200 performs radio communication with terminalapparatuses. For example, the second base station 200 has a coveragearea 20 that overlaps the coverage area 10 of the first base station100, and performs radio communication with terminal apparatusespositioned in the coverage area 20. For example, the second base station200 transmits data and/or control information to terminal apparatusesand receives data and/or control information from the terminalapparatuses. Note that only a part of the coverage area 20 may overlapthe coverage area 10, or the whole of the coverage area 20 may overlapthe coverage area 10.

The second base station 200 communicates with, for example, othernetwork nodes. For example, the second base station communicates withthe first base station 100.

(Relationship Between First Base Station 100 and Second Base Station200)

The first base station 100 is, for example, a base station of amacrocell, and the second base station 200 is a base station of a smallcell that overlaps the macrocell. In other words, the coverage area 10is a macrocell, and the coverage area 20 is a small cell.

The first base station 100 is, for example, a base station of a firstradio communication system, and the second base station 200 is a basestation of a second radio communication system that is different fromthe first radio communication system.

The first base station 100 is, for example, a base station operated by afirst service provider, and the second base station 200 is a basestation operated by a second service provider that is different from thefirst service provider. As an example, the first base station 100 may bea base station operated by a first mobile network operator (MNO), andthe second base station 200 may be a base station operated by a secondMNO. As another example, the first base station 100 may be a basestation operated by an MNO, and the second base station 200 may be abase station operated by a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).

Note that the second base station 200 may be a terminal apparatus whichmay operate as a base station. Specifically, for example, the secondbase station 200 may be a terminal apparatus that is a master node of alocalized network, a terminal apparatus that performs tethering, amobile router, or the like.

The first base station 100 (or the first radio communication system) andthe second base station 200 (or the second radio communication system)perform, for example, radio communication according to the samecommunication scheme. As an example, the same communication scheme isLTE or LTE-Advanced. Alternatively, the same communication scheme may beWideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) that includes High SpeedDownlink Packet Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (WiMAX), IEEE 802.11, or the like. Note that the first basestation 100 (or the first radio communication system) and the secondbase station 200 (or the second radio communication system) may performradio communication according to different communication schemes.

(Use of Frequency Band)

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first base station 100can use a frequency band with priority. For example, the first radiocommunication system that includes the first base station 100 can usethe frequency band with priority. As an example, the first base station100 (or the first radio communication system) is a user of “PriorityAccess” in the frequency band in the SAS.

Furthermore, the second base station 200 is incapable of using thefrequency band with priority in the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. For example, the second radio communication system thatincludes the second base station 200 is incapable of using the frequencyband with priority. As an example, the second base station 200 (or thesecond radio communication system) is a user of “General AuthorizedAccess (GAA)” in the frequency band in the SAS.

(a) First Example

As a first example, the second base station 200 can use the frequencyband under the condition that interference with a radio communicationsystem which can use the frequency band with priority be avoided orsuppressed. The radio communication system is, for example, the firstradio communication system that includes the first base station 100.Thus, the radio communication system can use the frequency band, forexample, regardless of the presence of the second base station 200.

The second base station 200 can use, for example, a part or the whole ofthe frequency band in a period in which the radio communication systemdoes not use the part or the whole of the frequency band. Thus, thesecond base station 200, for example, avoids interference with the radiocommunication system (for example, the first base station 100).

The first base station 100 (for example, a control unit 153 to bedescribed below), for example, notifies the second base station 200 ofthe period. Thus, the second base station 200, for example, can use thefrequency band during the period. Note that another network node (forexample, a frequency management system that manages the frequency band)may notify the second base station 200 of the period in place of thefirst base station 100.

An example of use of a frequency band with priority will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram for describing the first example ofuse of a frequency band with priority. Referring to FIG. 2, a frequencyband 31 is shown. The first base station 100 can use the frequency band31 with priority. On the other hand, the second base station 200 can usethe frequency band 31 under the condition that interference with a radiocommunication system which can use the frequency band 31 with priority(for example, the first radio communication system that includes thefirst base station 100) be avoided or suppressed. Specifically, thefrequency band 31 is, for example, a band for both “Priority Access” and“General Authorized Access (GAA)” in the SAS, the first base station 100is a user of “Priority Access” in the frequency band 31, and the secondbase station 200 is a user of “General Authorized Access” in thefrequency band 31.

Note that the second base station 200 may be capable of using anotherfrequency band different from the frequency band. A specific example ofthis point will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram for describing an example of anotherfrequency band. Referring to FIG. 3, the frequency band 31 and afrequency band 33 are shown. The second base station 200 can use thefrequency band 33. Specifically, the frequency band 33 is, for example,a band for “General Authorized Access (GAA)” in the SAS, and the secondbase station 200 is a user of “General Authorized Access” in thefrequency band 33.

(b) Second Example

As a second example, the second base station 200 may be incapable ofusing the frequency band without permission. Thus, the first basestation 100 can use the frequency band, for example, regardless of thepresence of the second base station 200 in principle.

The permission is, for example, permission granted by the first basestation 100. Note that the permission may be permission granted byanother node (as an example, a frequency management system that managesfrequency bands).

An example of use of a frequency band with priority will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram for describing a second example of useof a frequency band with priority. Referring to FIG. 4, the frequencyband 31 is shown. The first base station 100 can use the frequency band31 with priority. On the other hand, the second base station 200 isincapable of using the frequency band 31 without permission.Specifically, the frequency band 31 is, for example, a band for“Priority Access” in the SAS, the first base station 100 is a user of“Priority Access” in the frequency band 31, and the second base station200 is not a user of “Priority Access” in the frequency band 31.

Note that the second base station 200 may be capable of using anotherfrequency band different from the frequency band. A specific example ofthis point will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram for describing an example of anotherfrequency band. Referring to FIG. 5, the frequency band 31 and thefrequency band 33 are shown. The base station 200 can use the frequencyband 33. Specifically, the frequency band 33 is, for example, a band for“General Authorized Access (GAA)” in the SAS, and the second basestation 200 is a user of “General Authorized Access” in the frequencyband 33.

(c) Third Example

The first and the second examples described above may be combined. Anexample of use of a frequency band with priority with regard to thispoint will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram for describing a third example of useof a frequency band with priority. Referring to FIG. 6, a frequency band31A and a frequency band 31B are shown. The first base station 100 canuse the frequency band 31A and the frequency band 31B with priority. Onthe other hand, the second base station 200 is incapable of using thefrequency band 31A without permission, but can use the frequency band31B under the condition that interference with a radio communicationsystem which can use the frequency band 31B with priority be avoided orsuppressed. Specifically, the frequency band 31A is, for example, a bandfor “Priority Access” in the SAS, and the frequency band 31B is a bandfor both “Priority Access” and “General Authorized Access (GAA)” in theSAS. Thus, the first base station 100 is a user of “Priority Access” inthe frequency band 31A and the frequency band 31B, and the second basestation 200 is a user of “General Authorized Access” in the frequencyband 31B.

Note that the second base station 200 may also be capable of usinganother frequency band that is different from the frequency bands. Aspecific example of this point will be described below with reference toFIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram for describing an example of anotherfrequency band. Referring to FIG. 7, the frequency band 31A, thefrequency band 31B and the frequency band 33 are shown. The base station200 can use the frequency band 33. Specifically, the frequency band 33is, for example, a band for “General Authorized Access (GAA)” in theSAS, and the second base station 200 is a user of “General AuthorizedAccess” in the frequency band 33.

The frequency bands that the first base station 100 can use withpriority have been described above. Note that there may of course be twoor more frequency bands that the first base station 100 can use withpriority.

(Another Radio Communication System Having a Higher Priority Level)

The above-described frequency band is, for example, a band used byanother radio communication system (which will be referred to as a“third radio communication system” below) with priority over the radiocommunication system (i.e., the first radio communication system) thatincludes the first base station 100. In this case, the first basestation 100 can use the frequency band under the condition thatinterference with the third radio communication system be avoided orsuppressed.

As an example, the third radio communication system is a user of“Incumbent Access” in the frequency band in the SAS. Furthermore, thefirst base station 100 (or the first radio communication system thatincludes the first base station 100) is a user of “Priority Access” inthe SAS. In addition, the second base station 200 (or the second radiocommunication system that includes the second base station 200) is auser of “General Authorized Access” in the SAS.

Note that the frequency band may be a part of a band used by the thirdradio communication system. For example, referring to the examples ofFIGS. 3, 5, and 7 again, the band used by the third radio communicationsystem may further include the frequency band 33 in addition to thefrequency bands 31. Alternatively, the frequency band may be the wholeof a band used by the third radio communication system. Referring to theexamples of FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 again, the band used by the third radiocommunication system may be the frequency bands 31 only.

A way in which the first base station 100 can use the frequency bandwill be described below in detail.

3. CONFIGURATION OF FIRST BASE STATION

An example of a configuration of the first base station 100 according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the example ofthe configuration of the first base station 100 according to theembodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, the firstbase station 100 has an antenna unit 110, a radio communication unit120, a network communication unit 130, a storage unit 140, and aprocessing unit 150.

(Antenna Unit 110)

The antenna unit 110 emits signals output by the radio communicationunit 120 as radio waves to a space. In addition, the antenna unit 110converts radio waves from the space into signals, and outputs thesignals to the radio communication unit 120.

(Radio Communication Unit 120)

The radio communication unit 120 transmits and receives signals. Forexample, the radio communication unit 120 transmits downlink signals toterminal apparatuses positioned in the coverage area 10 and receivesuplink signals from terminal apparatuses positioned in the coverage area10.

(Network Communication Unit 130)

The network communication unit 130 transmits and receives information.For example, the network communication unit 130 transmits information toother network nodes and receives information from other network nodes.The other network nodes include, for example, the second base station200.

(Storage Unit 140)

The storage unit 140 temporarily or permanently stores programs and datafor operations of the first base station 100.

(Processing Unit 150)

The processing unit 150 provides various functions of the first basestation 100. The processing unit 150 includes an information acquisitionunit 151 and a control unit 153. Note that the processing unit 150 canfurther include another constituent element in addition to theseconstituent elements. In other words, the processing unit 150 canperform operations in addition to operations of these constituentelements.

(Information Acquisition Unit 151)

The information acquisition unit 151 acquires information with regard tothe second base station 200. As described above, the second base station200 has the coverage area 20 that overlaps the coverage area 10 of thefirst base station 100, and is incapable of using the frequency bandwith priority that is available to the first base station 100 withpriority.

The information with regard to the second base station 200 includes, forexample, identification information of the second base station 200 (forexample, a cell ID), an address of the second base station 200 (forexample, an IP address), position information indicating a position ofthe second base station 200, and/or a measurement result on the secondbase station 200 obtained by a terminal apparatus.

The information with regard to the second base station 200 is, forexample, stored in the storage unit 140, and the information acquisitionunit 151 acquires the information from the storage unit 140.

(Control Unit 153)

The control unit 153 requests that the second base station 200 transmitdata destined for a terminal apparatus that accesses the first basestation 100 to the terminal apparatus.

(a) Terminal Apparatus

The terminal apparatus is, for example, a terminal apparatus positionedclose to the second base station 200. Specifically, the terminalapparatus is, for example, a terminal apparatus positioned in thecoverage area 20 of the second base station 200.

As an example, the control unit 153 determines that the terminalapparatus is positioned close to the second base station 200 based on aposition of the terminal apparatus or a measurement result on the secondbase station 200 obtained by the terminal apparatus. For example, thecontrol unit 153 may set a measurement gap and instruct the terminalapparatus to measure reception quality of a reference signal transmittedby the second base station 200 in the measurement gap.

(b) Specific Process

The control unit 153, for example, transmits, to the second base station200, control information (for example, a message, a command, or thelike) for requesting transmission of the above-described data to theterminal apparatus via the network communication unit 130. In addition,the control unit 153, for example, forwards the data to the second basestation 200 via the network communication unit 130.

(c) Trigger

As an example, when a traffic amount or a traffic load of the first basestation 100 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the controlunit 153 requests that the data be transmitted from the second basestation 200 to the terminal apparatus.

As another example, when the terminal apparatus is determined to bepositioned close to the second base station 200, the control unit 153can request that the data be transmitted from the second base station200 to the terminal apparatus.

Note that a trigger of the request is not limited to the above examples,and various kinds of triggers can be applied to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

As described above, the control unit 153 requests that the second basestation 200 transmit data destined for the terminal apparatus thataccesses the first base station 100 to the terminal apparatus. Thereby,for example, the second base station 200 transmits the data to theterminal apparatus. As a result, for example, a frequency band can beused with higher efficiency. More specifically, for example, even whenthere is no other base station (for example, a base station of a smallcell) of the radio communication system that includes the first basestation 100 around the first base station 100, the second base stationcloser to the terminal apparatus, for example, can transmit the data tothe terminal apparatus instead of the first base station 100. As aresult, the data can be transmitted to the terminal apparatus usingfewer radio resources due to the effect of link adaptation.Alternatively, the data can be transmitted to the terminal apparatuswith higher reliability using the same amount of radio resources. Inother words, traffic off-loading can be realized. In this way, thefrequency band can be used with higher efficiency.

Note that the control unit 153 performs other operations entailed by therequest that the data be transmitted. The other operations will bedescribed below in detail.

4. CONFIGURATION OF SECOND BASE STATION

An example of a configuration of the second base station 200 accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the example ofthe configuration of the second base station 200 according to theembodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, the secondbase station 200 has an antenna unit 210, a radio communication unit220, a network communication unit 230, a storage unit 240, and aprocessing unit 250.

(Antenna Unit 210)

The antenna unit 210 emits signals output by the radio communicationunit 220 as radio waves to a space. In addition, the antenna unit 210converts radio waves from the space into signals, and the signals areoutput to the radio communication unit 220.

(Radio Communication Unit 220)

The radio communication unit 220 transmits and receives signals. Forexample, the radio communication unit 220 transmits downlink signals toterminal apparatuses positioned in the coverage area 20 and receivesuplink signals from terminal apparatuses positioned in the coverage area20.

(Network Communication Unit 230)

The network communication unit 230 transmits and receives information.For example, the network communication unit 230 transmits information toother network nodes and receives information from other network nodes.The other network nodes include, for example, the first base station100.

(Storage Unit 240)

The storage unit 240 temporarily or permanently stores programs and datafor operations of the second base station 200.

(Processing Unit 250)

The processing unit 250 provides various functions of the second basestation 200. The processing unit 250 includes the informationacquisition unit 251 and the control unit 253. Note that the processingunit 250 can further include another constituent element in addition tothese constituent elements. In other words, the processing unit 250 canperform operations in addition to operations of these constituentelements.

(Information Acquisition Unit 251)

When it is requested to the second base station 200 that the second basestation 200 transmit data destined for a terminal apparatus thataccesses the first base station 100 to the terminal apparatus, theinformation acquisition unit 251 acquires the data. Here, the terminalapparatus that accesses the first base station 100 may at least haveaccessed the first base station 100 to transmit and receive controlinformation (a C-plane).

As described above, the first base station 100 requests that the secondbase station 200 transmit data destined for a terminal apparatus thataccesses the first base station 100 to the terminal apparatus. Morespecifically, the first base station 100 transmits, for example, controlinformation (for example, a message, a command, or the like) forrequesting that the data be transmitted to the second base station 200.In addition, the first base station 100, for example, forwards the datato the second base station 200. Then, the data is stored in the storageunit 240. At any timing thereafter, the information acquisition unit 251acquires the data from the storage unit 240.

(Control Unit 253)

The control unit 253 controls radio communication of the second basestation 200 so that the second base station 200 transmits the data tothe terminal apparatus.

For example, the control unit 253 performs scheduling of transmission ofthe data. In other words, the control unit 253 allocates radio resourcesof a band to be used for transmitting the data to a signal of the data.Then, the control unit 253 maps the signal of the data to the allocatedradio resources. In other words, the storage unit 240 serves as a bufferin control of transmission of the data.

Note that the control unit 253 performs other operations entailed by thetransmission of the data. The other operations will be described belowin detail. Note that the control unit 253 may not only control thesecond base station 200 to transmit the data to the terminal apparatus,but also control the second base station 200 to receive data from theterminal apparatus. Here, the control for reception includes, forexample, instructing the terminal apparatus to map a signal of the datato allocated radio resources.

5. THREE CASES WITH REGARD TO USE OF FREQUENCY BANDS

Next, three cases with regard to use of frequency bands for transmissionof the data will be described. The three cases are summarized asfollows.

TABLE 1 Frequency band used for transmission of data Frequency band thatfirst base Other frequency band that Cases station can use with prioritysecond base station can use First case ◯ Second case ◯ Third case ◯ ◯(When selected) (When selected)

5.1. First Case

In a first case, the second base station 200 uses a frequency band(i.e., a frequency band that the second base station 200 is incapable ofusing with priority) that is available to the first base station 100with priority to transmit the data destined for the terminal apparatusthat accesses the first base station 100 to the terminal apparatus.

(Operations of First Base Station 100)

(a) Request for Transmission of Data

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example, requeststhat the second base station 200 transmit the data to the terminalapparatus using the frequency band.

(b) Permission to Use Frequency Band

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example, permitsthe second base station 200 to use the frequency band.

Permitted Use

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example, permitsthe second base station 200 to use a part or the whole of the frequencyband in a period in which the first base station 100 does not use thepart or the whole of the frequency band.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7 again, the first base station 100 (the controlunit 153), for example, permits the second base station 200 to use thefrequency band 31 in a period in which the first base station 100 doesnot use the whole of the frequency band 31. Alternatively, the firstbase station 100 (the control unit 153) permits the second base station200 to use a part of the frequency band 31 in the period in which thefirst base station 100 does not use the part of the frequency band 31.

Accordingly, for example, it is possible to avoid interference of thesecond base station 200 with the first base station 100.

Note that the period may be one or more radio frames or one or moresubframes, and may be a period indicated as times (for example, a starttime and an end time, or a start time and a length of a period).

Specific Process

Decision

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example, decidesa period in which the first base station 100 does not use a part or thewhole of the frequency band 31. In addition, the first base station 100(the control unit 153) also decides a part of the frequency band topermit use of the part of the frequency band.

Notification to Terminal Apparatus

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example, notifiesthe second base station 200 of the period. In addition, when use of apart of the frequency band is permitted for use, the first base station100 (the control unit 153), for example, also notifies the second basestation 200 of the part of the frequency band.

When requesting that the second base station 200 transmit the data tothe terminal apparatus, for example, the first base station 100 notifiesthe second base station 200 of the period (and the part of the frequencyband). Specifically, the first base station 100, for example, generatescontrol information (for example, a message, a command, or the like)that is control information for requesting that the data be transmittedto the terminal apparatus indicating the period (and the part of thefrequency band), and transmits the control information to the secondbase station 200.

Note that the transmission of the information indicating the period tothe second base station 200 can be considered as being equivalent topermitting use of the frequency band. In addition, the transmission ofthe information indicating the period (and the part of the frequencyband) to the second base station 200 can be considered as beingequivalent to requesting that the data be transmitted.

Non-Use

The first base station 100, for example, does not use the part or thewhole of the frequency band in the period.

The control unit 153 of the first base station 100, for example,controls radio communication of the first base station 100 so that thefirst base station 100 does not use the part or the whole of thefrequency band. Specifically, the control unit 153, for example, doesnot map a signal to radio resources of the part or the whole of thefrequency band in the period.

Note that, when the second base station 200 uses the part of thefrequency band, a guard band may be provided between the band of thepart and the remaining band. In addition, the part of the frequency bandmay be decided by taking the guard band into consideration.

Cancellation of Permission

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153) may cancel permissionfor the second base station to use the frequency band.

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153) may decide to cancelpermission to use the frequency band, and may instruct the second basestation 200 to stop using the frequency band. Note that the second basestation 200 may notify the first base station 100 of the fact that theuse of the frequency band has stopped, and the first base station 100may start using the frequency band after the notification from thesecond base station 200.

Accordingly, the first base station 100 can more flexibly use thefrequency band.

As described above, the first base station 100 (the control unit 153),for example, permits the second base station 200 to use the frequencyband. Accordingly, the second base station 200, for example, can use thefrequency band with priority, like the first base station 100.

Note that, when the second base station 200 can use the frequency bandalbeit no priority provided, as described with reference to FIG. 2 andthe like, for example, the first base station 100 (the control unit 153)may not permit the second base station 200 to use the frequency band. Inthis case, the second base station 200 may use the frequency band,albeit no priority provided, to transmit the data to the terminalapparatus.

(c) Instruction of Use of SCC

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example,instructs the terminal apparatus to use a band which is used by thesecond base station 200 to transmit the data as a secondary componentcarrier (SCC) accompanied by a primary component carrier (PCC) used bythe first base station 100.

More specifically, the control unit 153, for example, activates the bandas an SCC accompanied by a PCC (a PCC for the terminal apparatus) usedby the first base station 100. As an example, the control unit 153transmits a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reconfigurationmessage for activating the band as an SCC to the terminal apparatus viathe antenna unit 110 and the radio communication unit 120. As anotherexample, the control unit 153 may transmit a Media Access Control (MAC)control element for activating the band as an SCC via the antenna unit110 and the radio communication unit 120.

Accordingly, for example, the second base station 200 can transmit thedata to the terminal apparatus without handover of the terminalapparatus.

Note that, in the first case, the band used by the second base station200 to transmit the data is the frequency band that is available to thefirst base station 100 with priority.

(d) Transmission of Scheduling Information

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example,transmits scheduling information indicating a result of scheduling thetransmission of the data by the second base station 200 to the terminalapparatus.

Specifically, for example, the second base station 200 performs thescheduling and transmits the scheduling information to the first basestation 100 as will be described below. Then, the first base station 100(the control unit 153) transmits the scheduling information to theterminal apparatus. The first base station 100 transmits the schedulinginformation to the terminal apparatus using, for example, the frequencyband or another frequency band (for example, a PCC of the terminalapparatus) that the first base station 100 uses for radio communicationwith the terminal apparatus. The first base station 100 transmits thescheduling information to the terminal apparatus on, for example, acontrol channel (for example, a Physical Downlink Control Channel(PDCCH)).

Note that the first base station 100 may perform the scheduling insteadof the second base station 200 performing the scheduling. In addition,the second base station 200 may transmit the scheduling information tothe terminal apparatus instead of the first base station 100transmitting the scheduling information to the terminal apparatus.

(Operation of Second Base Station 200)

(a) Transmission of Data

The second base station 200 transmits the data to the terminal apparatususing the frequency band. For example, the control unit 253 of thesecond base station 200 controls radio communication of the second basestation 200 so that the second base station 200 uses the frequency bandto transmit the data to the terminal apparatus.

Transmission with Permission

The first base station 100, for example, permits the second base station200 to use a part or the whole of the frequency band in a period inwhich the first base station 100 does not use the part or the whole ofthe frequency band. Then, the second base station 200 uses the part orthe whole of the frequency band to transmit the data to the terminalapparatus. For example, the control unit 253 of the second base station200 controls radio communication of the second base station 200 so thatthe second base station 200 transmits the data to the terminal apparatususing the part or the whole of the frequency band.

Note that, the first base station 100 notifies the second base station200 of the period (and the part of the frequency band) as describedabove.

Specific Process

The control unit 253, for example, performs scheduling for transmittingthe data. That is, the control unit 253 allocates radio resources of thepart or the whole of the frequency band to a signal of the data. Then,the control unit 253 maps the signal of the data to the allocated radioresources.

Note that the first base station 100 may perform the scheduling insteadof the second base station 200 performing the scheduling.

(b) Use of Frequency Band as SCC

The second base station 200, for example, uses the band used to transmitthe data as an SCC accompanied by a PCC used by the first base station100. For example, the control unit 253 controls radio communication ofthe second base station 200 so that the second base station 200 uses theband as the SCC.

Accordingly, the second base station 200 can transmit the data to theterminal apparatus, for example, without handover of the terminalapparatus.

Note that, in the first case, the band used by the second base station200 to transmit the data is the frequency band that is available to thefirst base station 100 with priority.

(c) Transmission of Scheduling Information

The second base station 200 (the control unit 253), for example,transmits scheduling information indicating a result of the schedulingto the first base station 100. Then, the first base station 100transmits the scheduling information to the terminal apparatus.

Note that the second base station 200 (the control unit 253) maytransmit the scheduling information to the terminal apparatus instead ofthe first base station 100 transmitting the scheduling information tothe terminal apparatus. The second base station 200 may transmit thescheduling information to the terminal apparatus on, for example, acontrol channel (for example, a PDCCH).

(d) Additional Transmission of Data

When an amount of radio resources that is available to the second basestation 200 among radio resources of the frequency band is greater thanthat of radio resources used to transmit the data to the terminalapparatus, the second base station 200 may use the extra radio resourcesto transmit other data to the terminal apparatus or another terminalapparatus. Accordingly, the radio resources of the frequency band, forexample, are more effectively used.

(Synchronization of the First Base Station 100 and the Second BaseStation 200)

The first base station 100 and the second base station 200, for example,are synchronized with each other.

The first base station 100 and the second base station 200 aresynchronized with each other for, for example, the frequency band. Thefirst base station 100 and the second base station 200 are synchronizedwith each other for, for example, the frequency band in a time directionand/or a frequency direction.

As an example, the second base station 200 may be synchronized with thefirst base station 100 based on a synchronization signal transmitted bythe first base station 100. As another example, the second base station200 may be provided with information for synchronizing with the firstbase station 100 from another network node (for example, the first basestation 100 or a core network node) and thus be synchronized with thefirst base station 100 based on the information.

As described above in the first case, the second base station 200, forexample, transmits data destined for a terminal apparatus that accessesthe first base station 100 to the terminal apparatus using the frequencyband that is available to the first base station 100 with priority(i.e., the frequency band that the second base station 200 is incapableof using with priority). Accordingly, the second base station 200 cantransmit the data to the terminal apparatus, for example, without aburden of radio resources.

5.2. Second Case

In a second case, the second base station 200 transmits data destinedfor the terminal apparatus that accesses the first base station 100 tothe terminal apparatus using another frequency band that is available tothe second base station 200. The other frequency band is a banddifferent from the frequency band that is available to the first basestation 100 with priority.

(Operation of First Base Station 100)

(a) Request for Transmission of Data

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example, requeststhat the second base station 200 transmit the data to the terminalapparatus using another frequency band available to the second basestation 200.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 again, the other frequency band is thefrequency band 33 as an example. That is, the second base station 200uses the frequency band 33 to transmit the data to the terminalapparatus. Note that the other frequency band is not limited thereto,and can be another arbitrary frequency band available to the second basestation 200.

(b) Permission to Use Frequency Band

In the second case, the first base station 100 (the control unit 153)may not permit the second base station 200 to use the frequency bandthat is available to the first base station 100 with priority.

(c) Instruction on Use of SCC

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example,instructs the terminal apparatus to use a band used by the second basestation 200 for the transmission of the data as an SCC accompanied by aPCC used by the first base station 100. There is no difference indescription of the specific process thereof between the above-describedfirst case and the second case. Thus, overlapping description will beomitted here.

Accordingly, the second base station 200 can transmit the data to theterminal apparatus, for example, without handover of the terminalapparatus.

Note that, in the second case, the band used by the second base station200 for the transmission of the data is the other frequency bandavailable to the second base station 200. The first base station 100 mayhave known the other frequency band, or the second base station 200 maynotify the first base station 100 of it.

(d) Transmission of Scheduling Information

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example,transmits scheduling information indicating a result of scheduling fortransmission of the data by the second base station 200 to the terminalapparatus.

Specifically, the second base station 200, for example, performs thescheduling to transmit the scheduling information to the first basestation 100 as will be described below. Then, the first base station 100(the control unit 153) transmits the scheduling information to theterminal apparatus. The first base station 100, for example, uses thefrequency band that the first base station 100 uses (for example, a PCCof the terminal apparatus) for radio communication with the terminalapparatus to transmit the scheduling information to the terminalapparatus. The first base station 100 transmits the schedulinginformation to the terminal apparatus on, for example, a control channel(for example, a PDCCH).

Note that the first base station 100 may perform the scheduling insteadof the second base station 200 performing the scheduling. In addition,the second base station 200 may transmit the scheduling information tothe terminal apparatus instead of the first base station 100transmitting the scheduling information to the terminal apparatus.

(Operation of Second Base Station 200)

(a) Transmission of Data

The second base station 200 uses the other frequency band available tothe second base station 200 to transmit the data to the terminalapparatus. For example, the control unit 253 of the second base station200 controls radio communication of the second base station 200 so thatthe second base station 200 transmits the data to the terminal apparatususing the other frequency band.

Specific Process

The control unit 253, for example, performs scheduling for transmittingthe data. That is, the control unit 253 allocates radio resources of theother frequency band to a signal of the data. Then, the control unit 253maps the signal of the data to the allocated radio resources.

Note that the first base station 100 may perform the scheduling insteadof the second base station 200 performing the scheduling.

(b) Use of Frequency Band as SCC

The second base station 200, for example, uses a band for transmissionof the data as an SCC accompanied by a PCC used by the first basestation 100. For example, the control unit 253 controls radiocommunication of the second base station 200 so that the second basestation 200 uses the band as the SCC.

Accordingly, the second base station 200 can transmit the data to theterminal apparatus, for example, without handover of the terminalapparatus.

Note that, in the second case, the band used by the second base station200 for transmission of the data is the other frequency band availableto the second base station 200.

(c) Transmission of Scheduling Information

The second base station 200 (the control unit 253), for example,transmits scheduling information indicating a result of the schedulingto the first base station 100. Then, the first base station 100transmits the scheduling information to the terminal apparatus.

Note that the second base station 200 (the control unit 253) maytransmit the scheduling information to the terminal apparatus instead ofthe first base station 100 transmitting the scheduling information tothe terminal apparatus. The second base station 200 may transmit thescheduling information to the terminal apparatus on, for example, acontrol channel (for example, a PDCCH).

(Synchronization of First Base Station 100 and Second Base Station 200)

The first base station 100 and the second base station 200 may or maynot be synchronized with each other.

As described above in the second case, the second base station 200, forexample, uses another frequency band available to the second basestation 200 to transmit data destined for the terminal apparatus thataccesses the first base station 100 to the terminal apparatus.Accordingly, for example, the frequency band available to the first basestation 100 with priority can be secured for the first base station 100.That is, a reduction of the band available to the first base station 100is avoided. In addition, the second base station 200 can transmit thedata to the terminal apparatus, regardless of a situation in which thefirst base station 100 uses the frequency band available to the firstbase station 100 with priority.

5.4. Third Case

In a third case, the second base station 200 transmits the data to theterminal apparatus using at least one selected from the frequency bandavailable to the first base station 100 with priority and anotherfrequency band available to the second base station 200.

(Operation of First Base Station 100)

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153), for example, requeststhat the second base station 200 transmit the data to the terminalapparatus using at least one selected from the frequency band availableto the first base station 100 with priority and another frequency bandavailable to the second base station 200.

When the frequency band available to the first base station 100 withpriority is selected, the first base station 100 operates as in theabove-described first case.

When the other frequency band available to the second base station 200is selected, the first base station 100 operates as in theabove-described second case.

When both the frequency band and the other frequency band are selected,the first base station 100 performs both the operation of theabove-described first case and the above-described second operation.Note that the operation of the above-described first case and theabove-described second operation may be performed separately, or may beappropriately performed in an integrated manner.

Note that the first base station 100 (the control unit 153), forexample, selects at least one of the frequency band and the otherfrequency band.

(Operation of Second Base Station 200)

The second base station 200 transmits the data to the terminal apparatususing at least one selected from the frequency band and the otherfrequency band. For example, the control unit 253 of the second basestation 200 controls radio communication of the second base station 200so that the second base station transmits the data to the terminalapparatus using the selected one.

When the frequency band available to the first base station 100 withpriority is selected, the second base station 200 operates as in theabove-described first case.

When the other frequency band available to the second base station 200is selected, the second base station 200 operates as in theabove-described second case.

When both the frequency band and the other frequency band are selected,the second base station 200 performs both the operation of theabove-described first case and the above-described second operation.Note that the operation of the above-described first case and theabove-described second operation may be performed separately, or may beappropriately performed in an integrated manner.

(Synchronization of First Base Station 100 and Second Base Station 200)

The first base station 100 and the second base station 200 are, forexample, synchronized with each other. There is no difference in thispoint between the above-described first case and third case. Thus,overlapping description will be omitted here.

(Selection of at Least One Band)

An example in which at least one is selected from the frequency band(i.e., the frequency band available to the first base station 100 withpriority) and the other frequency band (i.e., the other frequency bandavailable to the second base station 200) will be described.

(First Example)

As a first example, when there is another frequency band available tothe second base station 200, the other frequency band is selected, andwhen there is no other frequency band, the foregoing frequency band isselected.

When there is the frequency band 33 as in the example shown in FIGS. 3,5, and 7, for example, the other frequency band is selected. The otherfrequency band is of course not limited to the example, and can beanother arbitrary frequency band available to the second base station200.

Note that, when there is the other frequency band, the foregoingfrequency band may also be selected in addition to the other frequencyband.

Accordingly, for example, it is possible to secure the frequency bandavailable to the first base station 100 with priority for the first basestation 100 as much as possible. That is, a reduction of the bandavailable to the first base station 100 is avoided as much as possible.

(Second Example)

As a second example, at least one selected from the frequency band andthe other frequency band may be selected based on an amount or a ratioof radio resources (which is referred to as “remaining resources” below)available to the second base station 200 for transmission of the dataamong radio resources of the other frequency band.

When, for example, the amount or the ratio of the remaining resources isgreat (for example, the amount or the ratio of the remaining resourcesis equal to or greater than a first threshold value), the otherfrequency band is selected and the frequency band is not selected.

In addition, when the amount or the ratio of the remaining resources issmall (for example, the amount or the ratio of the remaining resourcesis smaller than the first threshold value), for example, both thefrequency band and the other frequency band are selected.

Note that, when the amount or the ratio of the remaining resources issmall (for example, the amount or the ratio of the remaining resourcesis smaller than the first threshold value), only the foregoing frequencyband may be selected. Alternatively, when the amount or the ratio of theremaining resources is very small (for example, the amount or the ratioof the remaining resources is smaller than a second threshold value (athreshold value smaller than the first threshold value)), only theforegoing frequency band may be selected.

Accordingly, for example, it is possible to secure the frequency bandavailable to the first base station 100 with priority for the first basestation 100 as much as possible. That is, a reduction of the bandavailable to the first base station 100 is avoided as much as possible.

Furthermore, when at least the frequency band is selected, an amount ofradio resources used by the second base station 200 among radioresources of the frequency band (for example, a period or a band) may bedecided based on the amount or the ratio of the remaining resources.When the amount is larger or the ratio is greater, for example, theamount of the radio resources used by the second base station 200 amongthe radio resources of the frequency band may be smaller (for example,the period may be shorter or the band may be narrower). When the amountis less or the ratio is smaller, for example, the amount of the radioresources used by the second base station 200 among the radio resourcesof the frequency band may be larger (for example, the period may belonger or the band may be wider). Accordingly, for example, a reductionof interference and leveling of traffic are expected.

Note that the amount or the ratio of the remaining resources may becomputed by the second base station 200 (the control unit 253), and thesecond base station 200 (the control unit 253) may notify the first basestation 100 of it. Alternatively, the amount or the ratio of theremaining resources may be computed by the first base station 100 (thecontrol unit 153) based on information provided by the second basestation 200 (for example, scheduling information with regard to theother frequency band).

6. CONSIDERATION OF ANOTHER RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM HAVING HIGHERPRIORITY LEVEL

Next, an operation of the first base station 100 and the second basestation 200 taking another radio communication system having a higherpriority level (i.e., the third radio communication system) intoconsideration will be described.

As described above, the frequency band is, for example, a band used byanother radio communication system (i.e., the third radio communicationsystem) with higher priority than the radio communication system thatincludes the first base station 100 (i.e., the first radio communicationsystem). In this case, the first base station 100 can use the frequencyband under the condition that interference with the third radiocommunication system be avoided or suppressed.

(Use of Frequency Band by First Base Station)

(a) First Example

As a first example, the first base station 100 can use the frequencyband when reception power of the first base station 100 with respect toa signal transmitted from the third radio communication system using thefrequency band is equal to or lower than a threshold value.

The first base station 100 (for example, the processing unit 150), forexample, measures reception power with respect to the signal transmittedfrom the third radio communication system using the frequency band.Then, the processing unit 150 (for example, the control unit 153)determines whether the reception power is equal to or lower than thethreshold value. Then, when the reception power is equal to or lowerthan the threshold value, the control unit 153 controls radiocommunication of the first base station 100 so that the first basestation 100 transmits a signal using the frequency band.

Accordingly, for example, interference in the third radio communicationsystem is suppressed.

(b) Second Example

As a second example, the first base station 100 may be capable of usingthe frequency band when the first base station 100 is positioned at aplace at which the first base station 100 can suppress interference withthe third radio communication system to a tolerable level.

When the first base station 100 is positioned outside an exclusive zoneof the third radio communication system, for example, the first basestation 100 may be capable of using the frequency band. The exclusivezone is an area in which there is a possibility of a signal transmittedwith arbitrary transmission power interfering with the third radiocommunication system to an extent exceeding the tolerable level.

Specifically, for example, a frequency management system that managesuse of a frequency band acquires position information indicating aposition of the first base station 100 and determines whether theposition is included in the exclusive zone. Then, the frequencymanagement system notifies the first base station 100 of the result ofthe determination. Then, when the position is not included in theexclusive zone, the control unit 153 controls radio communication of thefirst base station 100 so that the first base station 100 transmitssignals using the frequency band. Note that, in place of the frequencymanagement system, the first base station 100 may determine whether theposition of the first base station 100 is included in the exclusive zoneby itself. In addition, when the position is not included in theexclusive zone, the frequency management system may transmit informationregarding an available frequency band to the first base station 100instead of notifying the first base station 100 of the result of thedetermination. The information regarding an available frequency band mayinclude information indicating the frequency band, informationindicating maximum transmission power of the frequency band, informationindicating a period in which the frequency band is available, and thelike.

Accordingly, interference in the third radio communication system, forexample, is suppressed.

(c) Third Example

As a third example, the first base station 100 may be capable of usingthe frequency band in a period in which the third radio communicationsystem does not use the frequency band. As described above, thefrequency band may be a part of a band used by the third radiocommunication system or the whole of a band used by the third radiocommunication system.

A frequency management system that manages the frequency band or thethird radio communication system, for example, may notify the first basestation 100 of the period. Then, the control unit 153 may control radiocommunication of the first base station 100 so that the first basestation 100 transmits a signal using the frequency band in the period.

(Use of Frequency Band by Second Base Station)

(a) Frequency Band Available to First Base Station 100 with Priority

The second base station 200, for example, can use, albeit no priorityprovided, the frequency band available to the first base station 100with priority. In this case, the second base station 200 can use thefrequency band under the condition that, for example, interference withthe first base station 100 (or the first radio communication system) andthe third radio communication system be avoided or suppressed.

The second base station 200, for example, can use a part or the whole ofthe frequency band in a period in which both the first base station 100(or the first radio communication system) and the third radiocommunication system do not use the part or the whole of the frequencyband.

For example, the first base station 100 or another network node (forexample, a frequency management system that manages the frequency band)notifies the second base station 200 of the period. Then, the secondbase station 200 uses the part or the whole of the frequency band in theperiod to transmit or receive signals.

(b) Other Frequency Band Available to Second Base Station 200

Note that another frequency band available to the second base station200 may be a band used by the third radio communication system withpriority. In this case, the second base station 200 can use the otherfrequency band under the condition that interference with the thirdradio communication system be avoided or suppressed, like the first basestation 100.

Note that there is no difference in description regarding techniques foravoiding or suppressing interference in the third radio communicationsystem between the technique of the above-described first base station100 (the control unit 153) and the technique of the second base station200 (the control unit 253) except for the difference in the targetbands.

(Permission for First Base Station to Use Frequency Band)

When requesting that the second base station 200 transmit the datadestined for the terminal apparatus to the terminal apparatus using thefrequency band, for example, the first base station 100 (the controlunit 153) permits the second base station 200 to use the frequency bandas described above.

In addition, the second base station 200, for example, may be incapableof using the frequency band without permission as described above. Inthis case, the first base station 100 (the control unit 153) may permitthe second base station 200 to use a part or the whole of the frequencyband.

The control unit 153 of the first base station 100, for example, permitsthe second base station 200 to use the frequency band within a rangewithin which the first base station 100 can use the frequency band. Asan example, the control unit 153 permits the second base station 200 touse a part or the whole of the frequency band in a period in which thefirst base station 100 can use the frequency band.

Accordingly, for example, interference of the second base station 200with the third radio communication system is avoided or suppressed.

7. PROCESS FLOW

Next, an example of a process according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is asequence diagram showing an example of a schematic flow of the processaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first base station 100 acquires information regarding the secondbase station 200, and requests that the second base station 200 transmitdata destined for a terminal apparatus that accesses the first basestation 100 to the terminal apparatus (S401).

In addition, the first base station 100 forwards the data destined forthe terminal apparatus to the second base station 200 (S403).

In addition, the first base station 100 transmits control informationfor activating an SCC (for example, an RRC connection configurationmessage, or an MAC control element) to the terminal apparatus (S405).

The second base station 200 performs scheduling for transmission of thedata and transmits scheduling information indicating the result of thescheduling to the first base station 100 (S407).

The first base station 100 transmits the scheduling information to theterminal apparatus (S409). Then, the second base station 200 transmitsthe data to the terminal apparatus (S411).

8. MODIFIED EXAMPLES

Next, a first modified example and a second modified example of theembodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

8.1. First Modified Example

In a first modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure,the first base station 100 (the control unit 153) gives an instructionto the second base station 200 with regard to a link direction for aband used by the second base station 200 to transmit the data to theterminal apparatus that accesses the first base station 100 (which willbe referred to as a “link direction-related instruction” hereinbelow).

On the other hand, the second base station 200 performs radiocommunication using the band according to the link direction-relatedinstruction. The control unit 253 of the second base station 200controls radio communication of the second base station 200 according tothe link direction-related instruction.

(Band)

The band is, for example, the frequency band available to the first basestation 100 with priority (i.e., the band that the second base station200 is incapable of using with priority). Note that the band may be theother frequency band available to the second base station 200.

Note that, when the band is the frequency band available to the firstbase station 100 with priority, the link direction-related instructionis given, for example, with activation of the frequency band as an SCC.

(Link Direction-Related Instruction)

(a) Instruction of Duplex Scheme

The link direction-related instruction includes, for example, aninstruction on a duplex scheme applied to the band. That is, the firstbase station 100 gives the instruction on the duplex scheme applied tothe band, and the second base station 200 performs radio communicationusing the band according to the duplex scheme.

The duplex scheme is, for example, time division duplex (TDD) orfrequency division duplex (FDD).

Accordingly, the first base station 100, for example, can cause thesecond base station 200 to change a duplex scheme to be used whennecessary.

(b) TDD: Instruction of TDD Configuration

A duplex scheme applied to the band is, for example, TDD. In this case,the link direction-related instruction includes, for example, aninstruction of a TDD configuration applied to the band. That is, thefirst base station 100 gives the instruction of the TDD configurationapplied to the band, and the second base station 200 performs radiocommunication using the band according to the TDD configuration.

The TDD configuration indicates a link direction in units of subframesof a radio frame. In other words, the TDD configuration indicateswhether each subframe included in the radio frame is a downlinksubframe, an uplink subframe, or a special subframe. Note that the TDDconfiguration is also called an uplink-downlink configuration or a TDDuplink-downlink configuration.

Note that, when the second base station 200 performs radio communicationusing a plurality of frequency bands (for example, when the base stationperforms radio communication using a plurality of component carriers(CCs)), different duplex schemes may be applied to at least twofrequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands. For example, TDDmay be applied to one frequency band and FDD to the other frequencyband.

(b-1) Instruction of Existing TDD Configuration

The TDD configuration applied to the band is, for example, one of 7existing TDD configurations. With regard to the 7 existing TDDconfigurations, the 7 existing TDD configurations defined in thetechnical standard of the 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)(TS 36.211 Table 4.2-2: Uplink-downlink Configuration) will be describedwith reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram for describing the 7 existing TDDconfigurations. Referring to FIG. 11, the 7 existing TDD configurationsare shown. In the TDD configurations, each subframe is one among adownlink frame that is a subframe for downlink, an uplink frame that isa subframe for uplink, and a special subframe. A special subframe isprovided when a downlink subframe and an uplink subframe are switched inorder to consider a delay of propagation from a base station to aterminal apparatus.

Note that the first base station 100 (the control unit 153) may give aninstruction of a TDD configuration to be applied to the band by giving anotification of the configuration number (0 to 6) of the TDDconfiguration.

Accordingly, when TDD is employed, for example, it is possible to changea ratio of uplink subframes and downlink subframes as necessary. Forexample, more radio resources can be allocated to transmit signals indownlink.

(b-2) Instruction of New TDD Configuration

The TDD configuration may be a TDD configuration other than the existingTDD configurations shown in FIG. 11. The TDD configuration may be, forexample, a TDD configuration in which all subframes are downlinksubframes (which will be referred to as a “downlink-dedicatedconfiguration” below). That is, the link direction-related instructionmay include an instruction of a downlink-dedicated configuration. TheTDD configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative diagram for describing the downlink-dedicatedconfiguration. Referring to FIG. 12, the downlink-dedicated TDDconfiguration is shown. As shown in FIG. 12, all subframes in thedownlink-dedicated TDD configuration are downlink subframes.

Accordingly, even when TDD is employed, for example, all radio resourcescan be used for transmission of a signal in downlink. In addition, thisdownlink-dedicated TDD configuration may be applied to a downlink SCCaccompanied by a PCC used by the first base station 100 that operates inFDD.

Note that, when the second base station 200 performs radio communicationusing a plurality of frequency bands (for example, a plurality of CCs),different TDD configurations may be applied to at least two frequencybands of the plurality of frequency bands.

(c) FDD: Instruction of Link Direction of Frequency Band

The duplex scheme applied to the band is, for example, FDD. In thiscase, the link direction-related instruction includes, for example, aninstruction of use of the band as a downlink band. That is, the firstbase station 100 gives the instruction of use of the band as a downlinkband, and the second base station 200 performs radio communication usingthe band serving as a downlink band.

Note that the link direction-related instruction may include aninstruction of use of the band as an uplink band instead of theinstruction of use of the band as a downlink band. That is, the firstbase station 100 may give the instruction of use of the band as anuplink band, and the second base station 200 may perform radiocommunication using the band serving as an uplink band.

(Specific Process)

(a) Link Direction-Related Instruction

The first base station 100 (the control unit 153) transmits controlinformation for giving the link direction-related instruction (forexample, a message, a command, or the like) to the second base station200. Then, the second base station 200 (the control unit 253) performsradio communication using the band according to the control information.

Note that, when the first base station 100 requests that the second basestation 200 transmit the data destined for the terminal apparatus thataccesses the first base station 100 to the terminal apparatus, thecontrol information may be control information for giving the linkdirection-related instruction, and may be control information forrequesting that the data be transmitted to the terminal apparatus.

(b) Transmission of Data

When TDD is applied, for example, the control unit 253 of the secondbase station 200 allocates radio resources of downlink subframes to asignal of the data destined for the terminal apparatus and maps thesignal to the radio resources.

When FDD is applied, for example, the control unit 253 of the secondbase station 200 allocates radio resources of a downlink band to thesignal of the data destined for the terminal apparatus and maps thesignal to the radio resources.

8.2. Second Modified Example

In the examples described above according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the first base station 100 makes a request (i.e.,request that the data destined for the terminal apparatus betransmitted) and permits use of a frequency band with respect to thesecond base station 200.

In a second modified example of the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, for example, another network node, instead of the first basestation 100, may make a request (i.e., a request that the data destinedfor a terminal apparatus be transmitted) and permit use of a frequencyband with respect to the second base station 200. As an example, theother network node may be a frequency management system that managesfrequency bands.

More specifically, at least one of the information acquisition unit 151and the control unit 153 may be provided in the other network node. Inaddition, the rest of the information acquisition unit 151 and thecontrol unit 153 may be provided in the first base station 100.

9. OTHER EMBODIMENT

Next, another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

(Technical Problem)

For off-loading of traffic, for example, a radio communication apparatusthat is not connected to wired backhaul (for example, a terminalapparatus which can operate as a base station, a base station simply notconnected to wired backhaul, or the like) can operate as a base station(for example, a base station of a small cell). In this case, the radiocommunication apparatus can use radio backhaul between the radiocommunication apparatus and another base station (for example, a basestation of a macrocell).

However, if it is not possible to secure a frequency band to be used forradio backhaul, it is not possible to transmit and receive data via theradio backhaul from the beginning. In addition, if it is not possible tosecure a sufficient frequency band to be used for radio backhaul, thereis a possibility of a delay occurring in the radio backhaul, and as aresult, a communication speed in the coverage of the radio communicationapparatus can be lowered.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a mechanism which enables transmissionand reception of data via radio backhaul with satisfactory efficiency.

(Technical Features)

The first base station 100 (the information acquisition unit 151), forexample, acquires information regarding the second base station 200having a coverage area that overlaps a coverage area of the first basestation 100. Then, the first base station 100 (the control unit 153)requests that the second base station 200 transmit or receive datatransmitted and received between the second base station 200 and aterminal apparatus that accesses the second base station 200 via radiobackhaul that is radio backhaul between the first base station 100 andthe second base station 200 and that uses a frequency band available tothe second base station 200.

(a) Second Base Station 200

Base Station Not Connected to Radio Backhaul

The second base station 200 is, for example, a base station that is notconnected to radio backhaul. The second base station 200 may be aterminal apparatus operable as a base station, or just a base stationthat is not connected to wired backhaul.

Information Regarding Second Base Station 200

The information regarding the second base station 200 includes, forexample, identification information of the second base station 200 (forexample, a cell ID), an address of the second base station 200 (forexample, an IP address), position information indicating a position ofthe second base station 200, and/or a measurement result on the secondbase station 200 obtained by a terminal apparatus.

The information regarding the second base station 200 is, for example,stored in the storage unit 140, and the information acquisition unit 151acquires the information from the storage unit 140.

(b) Radio Backhaul

As described above, the radio backhaul between the first base station100 and the second base station 200 is radio backhaul that uses thefrequency band available to the second base station 200.

Frequency Band

Specific Example

The frequency band available to the second base station 200 is, forexample, “another frequency band” according to the embodiment describedbefore the other embodiment. More specifically, the frequency bandavailable to the second base station 200 is, for example, the frequencyband 33 shown in FIG. 3, 5, or 7.

Permission

The frequency band is, for example, a frequency band of which use forthe radio backhaul is permitted. The frequency band may be a frequencyband that is already permitted before a request, or may be a frequencyband permitted after a request.

The second base station 200 permits the frequency band to be used forthe radio backhaul.

The frequency band is permitted to be used for the radio backhaul in aperiod in which the second base station 200 does not use the frequencyband for communication with a terminal apparatus.

Additional Frequency Band

The radio backhaul may be radio backhaul that uses an additionalfrequency band as well as the frequency band. The additional frequencyband may be a frequency band available to the first base station 100.More specifically, the additional frequency band may be the frequencyband 31 shown in one of FIGS. 2 to 7. In addition, when the first basestation 100 is managed by a communication service provider assigned witha licensed frequency band, the additional frequency band may be thelicensed frequency band.

(c) Specific Process

The control unit 153, for example, transmits control information for arequest to the second base station 200 (for example, a message, acommand, or the like) to the second base station 200 via the radiocommunication unit 120.

Note that the control unit 153, for example, transmits the data to thesecond base station 200 and receives the data from the second basestation 200 via the radio communication unit 120.

(Process Flow)

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a schematic flow ofa process according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first base station 100 acquires information regarding the secondbase station 200. Then, the first base station 100 requests that thesecond base station 200 transmit or receive data transmitted andreceived between the second base station 200 and a terminal apparatusthat accesses the second base station 200 via radio backhaul that isradio backhaul between the first base station 100 and the second basestation 200 and uses a frequency band available to the second basestation 200 (S421). The frequency band may have already been permittedto be used for the radio backhaul, or may be permitted to be used forthe radio backhaul after this request.

Then, the second base station 200 responds to the first base station 100(S423).

Then, upon receiving data destined for the terminal apparatus thataccesses the second base station 200 from a network, the first basestation 100 forwards the data to the second base station 200 via theradio backhaul (S425). Then, the second base station 200 transmits thedata to the terminal apparatus (S427).

In addition, the terminal apparatus that accesses the second basestation 200 transmits data to the second base station 200 (S429), andthe second base station 200 transmits the data to the first base station100 via the radio backhaul (S423). Note that the first base station 100forwards the data to the network.

(Modified Example)

In the example described above, the first base station 100 requests thesecond base station 200 to transmit or receive the data via the radiobackhaul. However, the other embodiment is not limited thereto.

As a first modified example, a network node (an information acquisitionunit) different from the first base station 100 and the second basestation 200 may acquire information regarding the second base station200. Then, the network node (a control unit) may request one of or boththe first base station 100 and the second base station 200 to transmitor receive the data via the radio backhaul. As a result, the first basestation 100 and the second base station 200 may transmit and receive thedata via the radio backhaul.

As a second modified example, the second base station 200 (theinformation acquisition unit 251) may acquire information regarding thesecond base station 200. Then, the second base station 200 (the controlunit 253) may request the first base station 100 to transmit or receivethe data via the radio backhaul. As a result, the first base station 100and the second base station 200 may transmit and receive the data viathe radio backhaul.

10. APPLICATION EXAMPLES

The technology of the present disclosure is applicable to variousproducts. For example, a base station according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure (for example, the first base station 100 and thesecond base station 200) may be realized as any type of evolved Node B(eNB) such as a macro eNB, and a small eNB. A small eNB may be an eNBthat covers a cell smaller than a macrocell, such as a pico eNB, a microeNB, or a home (femto) eNB. Instead, the base station may be realized asanother type of base station such as a NodeB or a base transceiverstation (BTS). The base station may include a main body (that is alsoreferred to as a base station apparatus) configured to control radiocommunication, and one or more remote radio heads (RRH) disposed in adifferent place from the main body. Additionally, various types ofterminals to be described below may also operate as the base station bytemporarily or semi-permanently executing a base station function.Furthermore, at least a part of constituent elements of the base stationmay be realized in a base station apparatus or a module for a basestation apparatus.

In addition, the other network node according to the second modifiedexample may be realized as any type of server, for example, a towerserver, a rack server, or a blade server. In addition, at least a partof constituent elements of the other network node may be realized in amodule (for example, an integrated circuit module configured in one die,or a card or a blade inserted into a slot of a blade server) mounted ina server.

For example, the second base station 200 may be realized as a mobileterminal such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), anotebook PC, a portable game terminal, a portable/dongle type mobilerouter, and a digital camera, or an in-vehicle terminal such as a carnavigation apparatus. The second base station 200 may also be realizedas a terminal (that is also referred to as a machine type communication(MTC) terminal) that performs machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.Furthermore, at least a part of constituent elements of the second basestation 200 may be realized in a module (such as an integrated circuitmodule configured in one die) mounted on each of the terminals.

10.1. Application Example Regarding Other Network Node

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of a server 700 to which the technology of the presentdisclosure may be applied. The server 700 includes a processor 701, amemory 702, a storage 703, a network interface 704, and a bus 706.

The processor 701 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU)or a digital signal processor (DSP), and controls functions of theserver 700. The memory 702 includes a random access memory (RAM) and aread only memory (ROM), and stores a program that is executed by theprocessor 701 and data. The storage 703 may include a storage mediumsuch as a semiconductor memory and a hard disk.

The network interface 704 is a wired communication interface forconnecting the server 700 to a wired communication network 705. Thewired communication network 705 may be a core network such as an EvolvedPacket Core (EPC), or a packet data network (PDN) such as the Internet.

The bus 706 connects the processor 701, the memory 702, the storage 703,and the network interface 704 to each other. The bus 706 may include twoor more buses (such as a high speed bus and a low speed bus) each ofwhich has different speed.

At least a part of constituent elements (for example, the informationacquisition unit 151 and/or the control unit 153) included in theprocessing unit 150 described with reference to FIG. 8 may beimplemented by the processor 701 of the server 700 shown in FIG. 14. Asan example, a program for causing the processor to function as the atleast part (i.e., a program for causing the processor to executeoperations of the at least part) may be installed in the server 700, andthe processor 701 may execute the program. As another example, theserver 700 may have a module that includes the processor 701 and thememory 702 to implement the at least part in the module. In this case,the module may store a program for causing the processor to function asthe at least part in the memory 702, and the processor 701 may executethe program. As described above, the server 700 or the module may beprovided as an apparatus that includes the at least part, or the programfor causing the processor to function as the at least part may beprovided. In addition, a readable recording medium on which the programis recorded may be provided.

10.2. Application Examples Regarding First Base Station and Second BaseStation

(First Application Example)

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a first example of a schematicconfiguration of an eNB to which the technology of the presentdisclosure may be applied. The eNB 800 includes one or more antennas 810and a base station apparatus 820. Each antenna 810 and the base stationapparatus 820 may be connected to each other via an RF cable.

Each of the antennas 810 includes a single or multiple antenna elements(such as multiple antenna elements included in a MIMO antenna), and isused for the base station apparatus 820 to transmit and receive radiosignals. The eNB 800 may include the multiple antennas 810, asillustrated in FIG. 15. For example, the multiple antennas 810 may becompatible with multiple frequency bands used by the eNB 800. AlthoughFIG. 15 illustrates the example in which the eNB 800 includes themultiple antennas 810, the eNB 800 may also include a single antenna810.

The base station apparatus 820 includes a controller 821, a memory 822,a network interface 823, and a radio communication interface 825.

The controller 821 may be, for example, a CPU or a DSP, and operatesvarious functions of a higher layer of the base station apparatus 820.For example, the controller 821 generates a data packet from data insignals processed by the radio communication interface 825, andtransfers the generated packet via the network interface 823. Thecontroller 821 may bundle data from multiple baseband processors togenerate the bundled packet, and transfer the generated bundled packet.The controller 821 may have logical functions of performing control suchas radio resource control, radio bearer control, mobility management,admission control, and scheduling. The control may be performed incorporation with an eNB or a core network node in the vicinity. Thememory 822 includes a RAM and a ROM, and stores a program that isexecuted by the controller 821, and various types of control data (suchas a terminal list, transmission power data, and scheduling data).

The network interface 823 is a communication interface for connectingthe base station apparatus 820 to a core network 824. The controller 821may communicate with a core network node or another eNB via the networkinterface 823. In that case, the eNB 800, and the core network node orthe other eNB may be connected to each other through a logical interface(such as an Si interface and an X2 interface). The network interface 823may also be a wired communication interface or a radio communicationinterface for radio backhaul. If the network interface 823 is a radiocommunication interface, the network interface 823 may use a higherfrequency band for radio communication than a frequency band used by theradio communication interface 825.

The radio communication interface 825 supports any cellularcommunication scheme such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced,and provides wireless connection to a terminal positioned in a cell ofthe eNB 800 via the antenna 810. The radio communication interface 825may typically include, for example, a baseband (BB) processor 826 and anRF circuit 827. The BB processor 826 may perform, for example,encoding/decoding, modulating/demodulating, andmultiplexing/demultiplexing, and performs various types of signalprocessing of layers (such as L1, medium access control (MAC), radiolink control (RLC), and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)). TheBB processor 826 may have a part or all of the above-described logicalfunctions instead of the controller 821. The BB processor 826 may be amemory that stores a communication control program, or a module thatincludes a processor and a related circuit configured to execute theprogram. Updating the program may allow the functions of the BBprocessor 826 to be changed. The module may be a card or a blade that isinserted into a slot of the base station apparatus 820. Alternatively,the module may also be a chip that is mounted on the card or the blade.Meanwhile, the RF circuit 827 may include, for example, a mixer, afilter, and an amplifier, and transmits and receives radio signals viathe antenna 810.

The radio communication interface 825 may include the multiple BBprocessors 826, as illustrated in FIG. 15. For example, the multiple BBprocessors 826 may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used bythe eNB 800. The radio communication interface 825 may include themultiple RF circuits 827, as illustrated in FIG. 15. For example, themultiple RF circuits 827 may be compatible with multiple antennaelements. Although FIG. 15 illustrates the example in which the radiocommunication interface 825 includes the multiple BB processors 826 andthe multiple RF circuits 827, the radio communication interface 825 mayalso include a single BB processor 826 or a single RF circuit 827.

At least a part of the constituent elements included in the processingunit 150 (for example, the information acquisition unit 151 and/or thecontrol unit 153) described with reference to FIG. 8 may be implementedby the radio communication interface 825 of the eNB 800 shown in FIG.15. Alternatively, the at least part of the elements may be implementedby the controller 821. As an example, the eNB 800 may have a module thatincludes a part or all of the radio communication interface 825 (forexample, the BB processors 826) and/or the controller 821, and the atleast part may be implemented by the module. In this case, the modulemay store a program for causing a processor to function as the at leastpart (in other words, a program for causing a processor to executeoperations of the at least part) and execute the program. As anotherexample, a program for causing a processor to function as the at leastpart may be installed in the eNB 800 and the radio communicationinterface 825 (for example, the BB processors 826) and/or the controller821 may execute the program. As described above, the eNB 800, the basestation apparatus 820, or the module may be provided as an apparatusthat includes the at least part, or a program for causing a processor tofunction as the at least part may be provided. In addition, a readablerecording medium in which the program is recorded may be provided. Withregard to these points, at least a part of the constituent elementsincluded in the processing unit 250 (for example, the informationacquisition unit 251 and/or the control unit 253) described withreference to FIG. 9 are similar to the at least part of the constituentelements included in the processing unit 150.

Furthermore, the radio communication unit 120 described with referenceto FIG. 8 may be implemented by the radio communication interface 825(for example, the RF circuit 827) in the eNB 800 shown in FIG. 15. Inaddition, the antenna unit 110 may be implemented by the antenna 810.Furthermore, the network communication unit 130 may be implemented bythe controller 821 and/or the network interface 823. With regard to thispoints, the antenna unit 210, the radio communication unit 220, and thenetwork communication unit 230 described with reference to FIG. 9 aresimilar to the antenna unit 110, the radio communication unit 120, andthe network communication unit 130.

(Second Application Example)

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a second example of a schematicconfiguration of an eNB to which the technology of the presentdisclosure may be applied. An eNB 830 includes one or more antennas 840,a base station apparatus 850, and an RRH 860. Each antenna 840 and theRRH 860 may be connected to each other via an RF cable. The base stationapparatus 850 and the RRH 860 may be connected to each other via a highspeed line such as an optical fiber cable.

Each of the antennas 840 includes a single or multiple antenna elements(such as multiple antenna elements included in a MIMO antenna), and isused for the RRH 860 to transmit and receive radio signals. The eNB 830may include the multiple antennas 840, as illustrated in FIG. 16. Forexample, the multiple antennas 840 may be compatible with multiplefrequency bands used by the eNB 830. Although FIG. 16 shows the examplein which the eNB 830 includes the multiple antennas 840, the eNB 830 mayalso include a single antenna 840.

The base station apparatus 850 includes a controller 851, a memory 852,a network interface 853, a radio communication interface 855, and aconnection interface 857. The controller 851, the memory 852, and thenetwork interface 853 are the same as the controller 821, the memory822, and the network interface 823 described with reference to FIG. 15.

The radio communication interface 855 supports any cellularcommunication scheme such as LTE and LTE-Advanced, and provides radiocommunication to a terminal positioned in a sector corresponding to theRRH 860 via the RRH 860 and the antenna 840. The radio communicationinterface 855 may typically include, for example, a BB processor 856.The BB processor 856 is the same as the BB processors 826 described withreference to FIG. 15, except the BB processors 856 are connected to RFcircuits 864 of the RRH 860 via the connection interface 857. The radiocommunication interface 855 may include the multiple BB processors 856,as shown in FIG. 16. For example, the multiple BB processors 856 may becompatible with multiple frequency bands used by the eNB 830. AlthoughFIG. 16 shows the example in which the radio communication interface 855includes the multiple BB processors 856, the radio communicationinterface 855 may also include a single BB processor 856.

The connection interface 857 is an interface for connecting the basestation apparatus 850 the (radio communication interface 855) to the RRH860. The connection interface 857 may also be a communication module forcommunication in the above-described high speed line that connects thebase station apparatus 850 (the radio communication interface 855) tothe RRH 860.

The RRH 860 includes a connection interface 861 and a radiocommunication interface 863.

The connection interface 861 is an interface for connecting the RRH 860(the radio communication interface 863) to the base station apparatus850. The connection interface 861 may also be a communication module forcommunication in the above-described high speed line.

The radio communication interface 863 transmits and receives radiosignals via the antenna 840. The radio communication interface 863 maytypically include, for example, the RF circuit 864. The RF circuit 864may include, for example, a mixer, a filter, and an amplifier, andtransmits and receives radio signals via the antenna 840. The radiocommunication interface 863 may include multiple RF circuits 864, asshown in FIG. 16. For example, the multiple RF circuits 864 may supportmultiple antenna elements. Although FIG. 16 illustrates the example inwhich the radio communication interface 863 includes the multiple RFcircuits 864, the radio communication interface 863 may also include asingle RF circuit 864.

At least a part of the constituent elements included in the processingunit 150 (for example, the information acquisition unit 151 and/or thecontrol unit 153) described with reference to FIG. 8 may be implementedby the radio communication interface 855 and/or the radio communicationinterface 863 of the eNB 830 shown in FIG. 16. Alternatively, the atleast part of the elements may be implemented by the controller 851. Asan example, the eNB 830 may have a module that includes a part or all ofthe radio communication interface 855 (for example, the BB processors856) and/or the controller 851, and the at least part may be implementedby the module. In this case, the module may store a program for causinga processor to function as the at least part (in other words, a programfor causing a processor to execute operations of the at least part) andexecute the program. As another example, a program for causing aprocessor to function as the at least part may be installed in the eNB830 and the radio communication interface 855 (for example, the BBprocessors 856) and/or the controller 851 may execute the program. Asdescribed above, the eNB 830, the base station apparatus 850, or themodule may be provided as an apparatus that includes the at least part,or a program for causing a processor to function as the at least partmay be provided. In addition, a readable recording medium in which theprogram is recorded may be provided. With regard to these points, atleast a part of the constituent elements included in the processing unit250 (for example, the information acquisition unit 251 and/or thecontrol unit 253) described with reference to FIG. 9 are similar to theat least part of the constituent elements included in the processingunit 150.

Furthermore, the radio communication unit 120 described, for example,with reference to FIG. 8 may be implemented by the radio communicationinterface 863 (for example, the RF circuit 864) in the eNB 830 shown inFIG. 16. In addition, the antenna unit 110 may be implemented by theantenna 840. Furthermore, the network communication unit 130 may beimplemented by the controller 851 and/or the network interface 853. Withregard to this points, the antenna unit 210, the radio communicationunit 220, and the network communication unit 230 described withreference to FIG. 9 are similar to the antenna unit 110, the radiocommunication unit 120, and the network communication unit 130.

10.3. Application Examples Regarding Second Base Station

(First Application Example)

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of a smartphone 900 to which the technology of the presentdisclosure may be applied. The smartphone 900 includes a processor 901,a memory 902, a storage 903, an external connection interface 904, acamera 906, a sensor 907, a microphone 908, an input device 909, adisplay device 910, a speaker 911, a radio communication interface 912,one or more antenna switches 915, one or more antennas 916, a bus 917, abattery 918, and an auxiliary controller 919.

The processor 901 may be, for example, a CPU or a system-on-a-chip(SoC), and controls functions of an application layer and another layerof the smartphone 900. The memory 902 includes a RAM and a ROM, andstores a program that is executed by the processor 901, and data. Thestorage 903 may include a storage medium such as a semiconductor memoryand a hard disk. The external connection interface 904 is an interfacefor connecting an external device such as a memory card and a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) device to the smartphone 900.

The camera 906 includes an image sensor such as a charge coupled device(CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and generatesa captured image. The sensor 907 may include a group of sensors such asa measurement sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and anacceleration sensor. The microphone 908 converts sounds that are inputto the smartphone 900 to audio signals. The input device 909 includes,for example, a touch sensor configured to detect touch onto a screen ofthe display device 910, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a switch, andreceives an operation or an information input from a user. The displaydevice 910 includes a screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) andan organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, and displays an outputimage of the smartphone 900. The speaker 911 converts audio signals thatare output from the smartphone 900 to sounds.

The radio communication interface 912 supports any cellularcommunication scheme such as LTE and LTE-Advanced, and performs radiocommunication. The radio communication interface 912 may typicallyinclude, for example, a BB processor 913 and an RF circuit 914. The BBprocessor 913 may perform, for example, encoding/decoding,modulating/demodulating, and multiplexing/demultiplexing, and performsvarious types of signal processing for radio communication. Meanwhile,the RF circuit 914 may include, for example, a mixer, a filter, and anamplifier, and transmits and receives radio signals via the antenna 916.The radio communication interface 912 may also be a one chip module thathas the BB processor 913 and the RF circuit 914 integrated thereon. Theradio communication interface 912 may include the multiple BB processors913 and the multiple RF circuits 914, as shown in FIG. 17. Although FIG.17 shows the example in which the radio communication interface 912includes the multiple BB processors 913 and the multiple RF circuits914, the radio communication interface 912 may also include a single BBprocessor 913 or a single RF circuit 914.

Furthermore, in addition to a cellular communication scheme, the radiocommunication interface 912 may support another type of radiocommunication scheme such as a short-distance radio communicationscheme, a near field communication scheme, and a radio local areanetwork (LAN) scheme. In that case, the radio communication interface912 may include the BB processor 913 and the RF circuit 914 for eachradio communication scheme.

Each of the antenna switches 915 switches connection destinations of theantennas 916 among multiple circuits (such as circuits for differentradio communication schemes) included in the radio communicationinterface 912.

Each of the antennas 916 includes a single or multiple antenna elements(such as multiple antenna elements included in a MIMO antenna), and isused for the radio communication interface 912 to transmit and receiveradio signals. The smartphone 900 may include the multiple antennas 916,as shown in FIG. 17. Although FIG. 17 shows the example in which thesmartphone 900 includes the multiple antennas 916, the smartphone 900may also include a single antenna 916.

Furthermore, the smartphone 900 may include the antenna 916 for eachradio communication scheme. In that case, the antenna switches 915 maybe omitted from the configuration of the smartphone 900.

The bus 917 connects the processor 901, the memory 902, the storage 903,the external connection interface 904, the camera 906, the sensor 907,the microphone 908, the input device 909, the display device 910, thespeaker 911, the radio communication interface 912, and the auxiliarycontroller 919 to each other. The battery 918 supplies power to blocksof the smartphone 900 illustrated in FIG. 17 via feeder lines, which arepartially shown as dashed lines in the figure. The auxiliary controller919 operates a minimum necessary function of the smartphone 900, forexample, in a sleep mode.

At least a part of the constituent elements included in the processingunit 250 (for example, the information acquisition unit 251 and/or thecontrol unit 253) described with reference to FIG. 9 may be implementedby the radio communication interface 912 of the smartphone 900 shown inFIG. 17. Alternatively, the at least part of the constituent elementsmay be implemented by the processor 901 or the auxiliary controller 919.As an example, the smartphone 900 may have a module that includes a partor all of the radio communication interface 912 (for example, the BBprocessor 913), the processor 901, and/or the auxiliary controller 919,and the constituent elements may be implemented by the module. In thiscase, the module may store a program for causing a processor to functionas the constituent elements (in other words, a program for causing aprocessor to execute operations of the constituent elements) and executethe program. As another example, a program for causing a processor tofunction as the constituent elements may be installed in the smartphone900 and the radio communication interface 912 (for example, the BBprocessors 913), the processor 901, and/or the auxiliary controller 919may execute the program. As described above, the smartphone 900 or themodule may be provided as an apparatus that includes the constituentelements, or a program for causing a processor to function as theconstituent elements may be provided. In addition, a readable recordingmedium in which the program is recorded may be provided.

Furthermore, the radio communication unit 220 described with referenceto FIG. 9 may be implemented by, for example, the radio communicationinterface 912 (for example, the RF circuits 914) in the smartphone 900shown in FIG. 17. In addition, the antenna unit 210 may be implementedby the antennas 916.

(Second Application Example)

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of a car navigation apparatus 920 to which the technologyof the present disclosure may be applied. The car navigation apparatus920 includes a processor 921, a memory 922, a Global Positioning System(GPS) module 294, a sensor 925, a data interface 926, a content player927, a storage medium interface 928, an input device 929, a displaydevice 930, a speaker 931, a radio communication interface 933, one ormore antenna switches 936, one or more antennas 937, and a battery 938.

The processor 921 may be, for example, a CPU or an SoC, and controls anavigation function and another function of the car navigation apparatus920. The memory 922 includes a RAM and a ROM, and stores a program thatis executed by the processor 921, and data.

The GPS module 294 uses GPS signals received from a GPS satellite tomeasure a position (such as latitude, longitude, and altitude) of thecar navigation apparatus 920. The sensor 925 may include a group ofsensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a barometricsensor. The data interface 926 is connected to, for example, anin-vehicle network 941 via a terminal that is not shown, and acquiresdata generated by the vehicle, such as vehicle speed data.

The content player 927 reproduces content stored in a storage medium(such as a CD and a DVD) that is inserted into the storage mediuminterface 928. The input device 929 includes, for example, a touchsensor configured to detect touch onto a screen of the display device930, a button, or a switch, and receives an operation or an informationinput from a user. The display device 930 includes a screen such as aLCD or an OLED display, and displays an image of the navigation functionor content that is reproduced. The speaker 931 outputs sounds of thenavigation function or the content that is reproduced.

The radio communication interface 933 supports any cellularcommunication scheme such as LET and LTE-Advanced, and performs radiocommunication. The radio communication interface 933 may typicallyinclude, for example, a BB processor 934 and an RF circuit 935. The BBprocessor 934 may perform, for example, encoding/decoding,modulating/demodulating, and multiplexing/demultiplexing, and performsvarious types of signal processing for radio communication. Meanwhile,the RF circuit 935 may include, for example, a mixer, a filter, and anamplifier, and transmits and receives radio signals via the antenna 937.The radio communication interface 933 may be a one chip module havingthe BB processor 934 and the RF circuit 935 integrated thereon. Theradio communication interface 933 may include the multiple BB processors934 and the multiple RF circuits 935, as shown in FIG. 18. Although FIG.18 shows the example in which the radio communication interface 933includes the multiple BB processors 934 and the multiple RF circuits935, the radio communication interface 933 may also include a single BBprocessor 934 or a single RF circuit 935.

Furthermore, in addition to a cellular communication scheme, the radiocommunication interface 933 may support another type of radiocommunication scheme such as a short-distance radio communicationscheme, a near field communication scheme, and a radio LAN scheme. Inthat case, the radio communication interface 933 may include the BBprocessor 934 and the RF circuit 935 for each radio communicationscheme.

Each of the antenna switches 936 switches connection destinations of theantennas 937 among multiple circuits (such as circuits for differentradio communication schemes) included in the radio communicationinterface 933.

Each of the antennas 937 includes a single or multiple antenna elements(such as multiple antenna elements included in a MIMO antenna), and isused for the radio communication interface 933 to transmit and receiveradio signals. The car navigation apparatus 920 may include the multipleantennas 937, as shown in FIG. 18. Although FIG. 18 shows the example inwhich the car navigation apparatus 920 includes the multiple antennas937, the car navigation apparatus 920 may also include a single antenna937.

Furthermore, the car navigation apparatus 920 may include the antenna937 for each radio communication scheme. In that case, the antennaswitches 936 may be omitted from the configuration of the car navigationapparatus 920.

The battery 938 supplies power to blocks of the car navigation apparatus920 shown in FIG. 18 via feeder lines that are partially shown as dashedlines in the figure. The battery 938 accumulates power supplied form thevehicle.

The constituent elements included in the processing unit 250 (forexample, the information acquisition unit 251 and/or the control unit253) described with reference to FIG. 9 may be implemented by the radiocommunication interface 933 of the car navigation apparatus 920 shown inFIG. 18. Alternatively, at least a part of the constituent elements maybe implemented by the processor 921. As an example, the car navigationapparatus 920 may have a module that includes a part or all of the radiocommunication interface 933 (for example, the BB processor 934) and/orthe processor 921, and the constituent elements may be implemented bythe module. In this case, the module may store a program for causing aprocessor to function as the constituent elements (in other words, aprogram for causing a processor to execute operations of the constituentelements) and execute the program. As another example, a program forcausing a processor to function as the constituent elements may beinstalled in the car navigation apparatus 920 and the radiocommunication interface 933 (for example, the BB processors 934), and/orthe processor 921 may execute the program. As described above, the carnavigation apparatus 920 or a program for causing a processor tofunction as the constituent elements may be provided. In addition, areadable recording medium in which the program is recorded may beprovided.

Furthermore, the radio communication unit 220 described with referenceto FIG. 9 may be implemented by, for example, the radio communicationinterface 933 (for example, the RF circuits 935) in the car navigationapparatus 920 shown in FIG. 18. In addition, the antenna unit 210 may beimplemented by the antennas 937.

The technology of the present disclosure may also be realized as anin-vehicle system (or a vehicle) 940 including one or more blocks of thecar navigation apparatus 920, the in-vehicle network 941, and a vehiclemodule 942. That is, the in-vehicle system (or the vehicle) 940 may beprovided as an apparatus that includes the constituent elements (forexample, the information acquisition unit 251 and/or the control unit253). The vehicle module 942 generates vehicle data such as vehiclespeed, engine speed, and trouble information, and outputs the generateddata to the in-vehicle network 941.

11. CONCLUSION

Apparatuses and processes according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described so far with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first basestation 100 (or another network node) includes the informationacquisition unit 151 that acquires information with regard to the secondbase station 200 that is the second base station 200 having the coveragearea 20 that overlaps the coverage area 10 of the first base station 100that can use a frequency band with priority and is incapable of usingthe frequency band with priority, and the control unit 153 that requeststhe second base station 200 to transmit data destined for a terminalapparatus that accesses the first base station 100 to the terminalapparatus.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, thesecond base station 200 is the second base station 200 having thecoverage area 20 that overlaps the coverage area 10 of the first basestation 100 which can use a frequency band with priority, and includesthe information acquisition unit 251 that acquires data destined for aterminal apparatus that accesses the first base station 100 when thesecond base station 200 that is incapable of using the frequency bandwith priority receives a request to transmit the data to the terminalapparatus, and the control unit 253 that controls radio communication ofthe second base station 200.

Thus, for example, the frequency band can be used with higherefficiency.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed above with reference to the accompanied by drawings, it isneedless to say that the present disclosure is not limited to thereto.It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive variousmodified examples or altered examples with the scope described in theclaims, they are of course understood as coming under the technicalscope of the present disclosure.

For example, although the example in which the third radio communicationsystem having a higher priority level than the first base station (orthe first radio communication system that includes the first basestation) is present has been described, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, the third radio communication system maynot be present. That is, users of a frequency band may be divided intotwo groups (for example, two “tiers”), rather than three groups (forexample, three “tiers”).

Further, it is not necessary to chronologically execute the processingsteps in the processing in the present specification in order describedin the flowcharts or the sequence diagrams. For example, the processingsteps in the above-described processing may be executed in orderdifferent from the order described in the flowcharts or the sequencediagrams or may be executed in parallel.

Further, it is also possible to create a computer program for making aprocessor (such as, a CPU and a DSP) provided at apparatuses (forexample, a base station, a base station apparatus for the base station,or a module for the base station or the base station apparatus, oranother network node or a module for the other network node) in thepresent specification function as the components (for example, aninformation acquiring unit or the control unit) of the above-describedapparatuses (in other words, a computer program for making the processorexecute operation of the components of the above-described apparatuses).Further, it is also possible to provide a recording medium having theabove-described computer program recorded therein. Further, it is alsopossible to provide an apparatus (such as, for example, a finishedproduct and a module (such as parts, processing circuits and chips) forthe finished product) including a memory having the above-describedcomputer program stored therein and one or more processors which canexecute the above-described computer program. Further, a methodincluding the operation of the components (for example, an informationacquiring unit or the control unit) of the above-described apparatusesis included in the technique according to the present disclosure.

In addition, the effects described in the present specification aremerely illustrative and demonstrative, and not limitative. In otherwords, the technology according to the present disclosure can exhibitother effects that are evident to those skilled in the art along with orinstead of the effects based on the present specification.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

-   (1)

An apparatus including:

an acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding a secondbase station that is a second base station having a coverage area thatoverlaps a coverage area of a first base station capable of using afrequency band with priority, and is incapable of using the frequencyband with priority; and

a control unit configured to request the second base station to transmitdata destined for a terminal apparatus that accesses the first basestation to the terminal apparatus.

-   (2)

The apparatus according to (1), wherein the control unit requests thesecond base station to transmit the data to the terminal apparatus usingthe frequency band.

-   (3)

The apparatus according to (2), wherein the control unit permits thesecond base station to use the frequency band.

-   (4)

The apparatus according to (3), wherein the control unit permits thesecond base station to use a part or a whole of the frequency band in aperiod in which the first base station does not use the part or thewhole of the frequency band.

-   (5)

The apparatus according to (3) or (4), wherein the control unit cancelsthe permission for the second base station to use the frequency band.

-   (6)

The apparatus according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the first basestation and the second base station are synchronized with each other.

-   (7)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the controlunit requests the second base station to transmit the data to theterminal apparatus using another frequency band available to the secondbase station.

-   (8)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the controlunit requests the second base station to transmit the data to theterminal apparatus using at least one selected from the frequency bandand another frequency band available to the second base station.

-   (9)

The apparatus according to (8), wherein the at least one selected fromthe frequency band and the other frequency band is a band selected basedon an amount or a ratio of radio resources available to the second basestation for transmission of the data among radio resources of the otherfrequency band.

-   (10)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the secondbase station is capable of using the frequency band under a conditionthat interference with a radio communication system capable of using thefrequency band with priority be avoided or suppressed.

-   (11)

The apparatus according to (10), wherein the second base station can usea part or a whole of the frequency band in a period in which the radiocommunication system does not use the part or the whole of the frequencyband.

-   (12)

The apparatus according to (11), wherein the control unit notifies thesecond base station of the period.

-   (13)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the secondbase station is incapable of using the frequency band withoutpermission.

-   (14)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the controlunit instructs the terminal apparatus to use a band used by the secondbase station for transmission of the data as a secondary componentcarrier accompanied by a primary component carrier used by the firstbase station.

-   (15)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein the controlunit gives an instruction to the second base station with regard to alink direction of a band used by the second base station fortransmission of the data.

-   (16)

The apparatus according to (15), wherein the instruction includes aninstruction on duplex scheme to be applied to the band.

-   (17)

The apparatus according to (15) or (16), wherein the instructionincludes an instruction of a Time Division Duplex (TDD) configurationapplied to the band.

-   (18)

The apparatus according to (17), wherein the TDD configuration is a TDDconfiguration in which all subframes are downlink subframes.

-   (19)

The apparatus according to (15) or (16), wherein the instructionincludes an instruction of use of the band as a downlink band.

-   (20)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (19),

wherein the frequency band is a band that is used by another radiocommunication system with priority over a radio communication systemthat includes the first base station, and

the first base station is capable of using the frequency band under acondition that interference with the other radio communication system beavoided or suppressed.

-   (21)

The apparatus according to (20),

wherein the control unit requests the second base station to transmitthe data to the terminal apparatus using the frequency band, and

the control unit permits the second base station for use of thefrequency band within a range within which the first base station iscapable of using the frequency band.

-   (22)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (21), wherein the apparatusis the first base station, a base station apparatus for the first basestation, or a module for the first base station or the base stationapparatus, or another network node or a module for the other networknode.

-   (23)

An apparatus including:

an acquisition unit configured to acquire data destined for a terminalapparatus that accesses a first base station capable of using afrequency band with priority when a second base station that is a secondbase station having a coverage area which overlaps a coverage area ofthe first base station, and is incapable of using the frequency bandwith priority receives a request to transmit the data to the terminalapparatus; and

a control unit configured to control radio communication of the secondbase station so that the second base station transmits the data to theterminal apparatus.

-   (24)

The apparatus according to (23), wherein the control unit controls theradio communication so that the second base station transmits the datato the terminal apparatus using the frequency band.

-   (25)

The apparatus according to (23) or (24), wherein the control unitcontrols the radio communication so that the second base stationtransmits the data to the terminal apparatus using another frequencyband available to the second base station.

-   (26)

The apparatus according to any one of (23) to (25), wherein the controlunit controls the radio communication so that the second base stationuses a band used for transmission of the data as a secondary componentcarrier accompanied by a primary component carrier used by the firstbase station.

-   (27)

The apparatus according to any one of (23) to (26), wherein the controlunit controls the radio communication according to an instruction to thesecond base station with regard to a link direction of a band used bythe second base station for transmission of the data.

-   (28)

The apparatus according to any one of (23) to (27), wherein theapparatus is the second base station, a base station apparatus for thesecond base station, or a module for the second base station or the basestation apparatus.

-   (29)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (28),

wherein the first base station is a base station of a macrocell, and

the second base station is a base station of a small cell that overlapsthe macrocell.

-   (30)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (29),

wherein the first base station is a base station operated by a firstservice provider, and

the second base station is a base station operated by a second serviceprovider that is different from the first service provider.

-   (31)

The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (28), wherein the secondbase station is a terminal apparatus operable as a base station.

-   (32)

A method including:

acquiring information regarding a second base station that is a secondbase station having a coverage area that overlaps a coverage area of afirst base station capable of using a frequency band with priority, andis incapable of using the frequency band with priority; and

requesting, by a processor, the second base station to transmit datadestined for a terminal apparatus that accesses the first base stationto the terminal apparatus.

-   (33)

A program for causing a processor to execute:

acquiring information regarding a second base station that is a secondbase station having a coverage area that overlaps a coverage area of afirst base station capable of using a frequency band with priority, andis incapable of using the frequency band with priority; and

requesting the second base station to transmit data destined for aterminal apparatus that accesses the first base station to the terminalapparatus.

-   (34)

A readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, theprogram causing a processor to execute:

acquiring information regarding a second base station that is a secondbase station having a coverage area that overlaps a coverage area of afirst base station capable of using a frequency band with priority, andis incapable of using the frequency band with priority; and

requesting the second base station to transmit data destined for aterminal apparatus that accesses the first base station to the terminalapparatus.

-   (35)

A method including:

acquiring data destined for a terminal apparatus that accesses a firstbase station capable of using a frequency band with priority when asecond base station that is a second base station having a coverage areawhich overlaps a coverage area of the first base station, and isincapable of using the frequency band with priority receives a requestto transmit the data to the terminal apparatus; and

controlling, by a processor, radio communication of the second basestation so that the second base station transmits the data to theterminal apparatus.

-   (36)

A program for causing a processor to execute:

acquiring data destined for a terminal apparatus that accesses a firstbase station capable of using a frequency band with priority when asecond base station that is a second base station having a coverage areawhich overlaps a coverage area of the first base station, and isincapable of using the frequency band with priority receives a requestto transmit the data to the terminal apparatus; and

controlling radio communication of the second base station so that thesecond base station transmits the data to the terminal apparatus.

-   (37)

A readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, theprogram causing a processor to execute:

acquiring data destined for a terminal apparatus that accesses a firstbase station capable of using a frequency band with priority when asecond base station that is a second base station having a coverage areawhich overlaps a coverage area of the first base station, and isincapable of using the frequency band with priority receives a requestto transmit the data to the terminal apparatus; and

controlling radio communication of the second base station so that thesecond base station transmits the data to the terminal apparatus.

-   (N1)

An apparatus including:

an acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding a secondbase station having a coverage area that overlaps a coverage area of afirst base station; and

a control unit configured to request the first base station or thesecond base station to transmit or receive data transmitted and receivedbetween the second base station and a terminal apparatus that access thesecond base station via a radio backhaul that is the radio backhaulbetween the first base station and the second base station and uses afrequency band available to the second base station.

-   (N2)

The apparatus according to (N1), wherein the frequency band is afrequency band permitted to be used for the radio backhaul.

-   (N3)

The apparatus according to (N2), wherein the frequency band is afrequency band permitted by the second base station to be used for theradio backhaul.

-   (N4)

The apparatus according to (N2) or (N3), wherein the frequency band is afrequency band permitted to be used for the radio backhaul in a periodin which the second base station does not use the frequency band forcommunication with a terminal apparatus.

-   (N5)

The apparatus according to any one of (N1) to (N4),

wherein the apparatus is the first base station, a base stationapparatus for the first base station, or a module for the base stationapparatus, and

the control unit requests the second base station to transmit or receivethe data via the radio backhaul.

-   (N6)

The apparatus according to any one of (N1) to (N4),

wherein the apparatus is a network node different from the first basestation and the second base station, or a module for the network node,and

the control unit requests one of or both the first base station and thesecond base station to transmit or receive the data via the radiobackhaul.

-   (N7)

The apparatus according to any one of (N1) to (N4),

wherein the apparatus is the second base station, a base stationapparatus for the second base station, or a module for the base stationapparatus, and

the control unit requests the first base station to transmit or receivethe data via the radio backhaul.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 system-   10, 20 coverage area-   31, 33 frequency band-   100 first base station-   151 information acquisition unit-   153 control unit-   200 second base station-   251 information acquisition unit-   253 control unit

The invention claimed is:
 1. A terminal apparatus comprising circuitryconfigured to: communicate with a base station via a wireless backhaulin a frequency band assigned to the base station in a coverage area ofthe base station; send identification information identifying theterminal apparatus to a base station via the wireless backhaul; receiveresource information from the base station via the wireless backhaul,wherein the radio resource information indicates at least part of thefrequency band assigned to the base station; receive permission to usethe indicated part of the frequency band from the base station via thewireless backhaul, wherein the terminal apparatus is incapable of usingthe indicated part of the frequency band without the permission; andoperate the terminal apparatus as a second base station and communicatewith a second terminal apparatus disposed in a second coverage area ofthe terminal apparatus using the indicated at least part of thefrequency band.
 2. The terminal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondcoverage area of the terminal apparatus at least partially overlaps thecoverage area of the base station.
 3. The terminal apparatus of claim 1,wherein the terminal apparatus is synchronized with the base station. 4.The terminal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is furtherconfigured to map data for transmission to the second terminal apparatusto the indicated at least part of the frequency band.
 5. The terminalapparatus of claim 1, wherein the base station establishes the wirelessbackhaul with the terminal apparatus in a frequency band with priority.6. The terminal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is furtherconfigured to: receive a request from the base station to transmit orreceive data with the second terminal apparatus; and send a response tothe base station.
 7. The terminal apparatus of claim 6, wherein thecircuitry is further configured to: receive data destined for the secondterminal apparatus from the base station; and forward the data to theterminal apparatus.
 8. The terminal apparatus of claim 7, wherein thecircuitry is further configured to: receive second data from the secondterminal apparatus; and transmit the second data to the base station. 9.A base station comprising circuitry configured to: establish a wirelessbackhaul with a terminal apparatus operating in a frequency bandassigned to the base station in a coverage area of the base station;receive identification information of the terminal apparatus from theterminal apparatus via the wireless backhaul; transmit resourceinformation to the terminal apparatus via the wireless backhaul, whereinthe radio resource information indicates at least part of the frequencyband assigned to the base station; and transmit permission to use theindicated part of the frequency band to the terminal apparatus via thewireless backhaul, wherein the terminal apparatus is incapable of usingthe indicated part of the frequency band without the permission, whereinthe terminal apparatus operates as a second base station andcommunicates with a second terminal apparatus disposed in a secondcoverage area of the terminal apparatus using the indicated at leastpart of the frequency band.
 10. The base station of claim 9, wherein theterminal apparatus is further configured to map data for transmission tothe second terminal apparatus to the indicated at least part of thefrequency band.
 11. The base station of claim 9, wherein the secondcoverage area of the terminal apparatus at least partially overlaps thecoverage area of the base station.
 12. The base station of claim 9,wherein the terminal apparatus is synchronized with the base station.13. The base station of claim 9, wherein the circuitry is furtherconfigured to: transmit a synchronization signal to the terminalapparatus, wherein the terminal apparatus is synchronized based on thesynchronization signal.
 14. The base station of claim 9, wherein thecircuitry is further configured to: provide the terminal apparatus withinformation for synchronizing, wherein the terminal apparatus issynchronized based on the information for synchronizing.
 15. The basestation of claim 9, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:instruct the second terminal apparatus to transmit data to the terminalapparatus using a particular frequency band.
 16. The base station ofclaim 15, wherein the particular frequency band is used by the terminalapparatus as a secondary component carrier.